By Lisa Keen on November 11, 2010
A 370-page Pentagon study on implementing repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will report December 1 that repeal poses only minimal risk to current war efforts, according to an article posted Wednesday night in the Washington Post.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on November 11, 2010
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) this month announced a grant of up to $22.4 million for suicide prevention, some of which will be used to address the needs of LGBT youth.
Posted in Congress, Health, Issues, News
By Lisa Keen on November 7, 2010
Four days after President Obama said there will be enough time, “potentially,” to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” during the lame-duck Congress, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters that he is “not sure” what the prospects are for repealing it this year.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on September 21, 2010
The Senate rejected a motion to break a Republican-led filibuster against an annual defense spending bill that includes language aimed at ending the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law banning gays. The vote was 56 to 43.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on September 15, 2010
Vice President Joe Biden said Democrats in the Senate have the votes not only to pass the measure to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” but also to thwart any attempt by Republicans to defeat the measure through some other tactic.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on September 13, 2010
A Senate Democratic leadership aide said Monday that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would bring the defense spending bill with the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal measure to the floor next week.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on July 14, 2010
The Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is not on the agenda for Senate floor action for the next few weeks, prior to the August 9 recess. The Senate will take up work on as many as nine matters during the next month, but none of those are ENDA.
Posted in Congress, ENDA, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on June 29, 2010
The immediate replacement for U.S. Senator Robert Byrd will most likely be chosen by the governor, not by a special election—and that is good news for the chances of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on June 14, 2010
It’s LGBT Pride Month and time to check your LGBT-IQ.
Only one question this year: Besides the measures on the House and Senate Defense authorization bills to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, name the other 25 LGBT-specific bills pending in Congress right now.
Posted in A closer look, Congress, National Politics, News, Politics
By Dana Rudolph on June 11, 2010
When President Obama issued a memorandum extending certain benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees, he noted there are still certain benefits he cannot extend under current law. But the legislation the president and many LGBT organizations are touting as a solution faces one big hurdle that nobody’s talking about.
Posted in A closer look, Congress, National Politics, News
By Lisa Keen on June 7, 2010
Republicans are reportedly scouring for filibuster votes against the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal and are expected to focus their efforts on winning over Democrats Jim Webb of Virginia and Mark Pryor of Arkansas.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 28, 2010
The U.S. House voted 234 to 194 Thursday night to approve a compromise amendment that many believe will—with some conditions—eventually lead to the end of the military’s policy of discharging gay servicemembers.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, National Politics, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 27, 2010
The Murphy Amendment seeking repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy is slated to come up near the end of the House’s consideration this week of the annual defense authorization bill.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 26, 2010
A measure to repeal the 16-year-old federal law excluding openly gay people from the military started up the Congressional ladder this week—with a reluctant nod from the White House and a controversial rewrite.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Issues, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 19, 2010
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reassured representatives of several LGBT organizations this week that the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) and a measure to repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) will get votes this year.
Posted in Congress, Don't Ask Don't Tell, ENDA, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on May 14, 2010
Supporters of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) say they have the votes to pass the bill, they are just waiting for the Democratic leadership to call the bill to the floor. But the leadership has grown quiet.
Posted in Congress, ENDA, Issues, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on April 17, 2010
The confirmation hearing Friday, April 16, for a well-known liberal nominee to a federal appeals court deteriorated quickly into a political battlefield. Republicans seemed intent on settling old scores.
Posted in Congress, Federal Courts, Issues, Law, News, Nominees, Politics
By Lisa Keen on April 8, 2010
Lesbian law professor Chai Feldblum was sworn in as one of five commissioners on the U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC). President Obama nominated Feldblum in September and she was approved along with other EEOC nominees during a Senate committee vote in December. But a Republican senator put Feldblum’s nomination, along with others, on an indefinite hold.
Posted in Congress, News, Politics
By Lisa Keen on March 29, 2010
Using a constitutional provision known as a “recess appointment,” President Obama on Saturday appointed lesbian law professor Chai Feldblum and three others to positions on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Posted in Congress, Issues, News, Nominees, Politics, White House
Ginsburg on Roe: Is it a signal she’d curb a decision on marriage?
Leahy submits language to help bi-national same-sex couples
Delaware votes for marriage equality; becomes 11th state to make it the law
Rhode Island marriage law signed; Two more states could vote next week
President praises pro athlete Jason Collins for courage to come out
Rhode Island marriage bill clears final hurdle with all Republicans